hello

happle*

You are all forgiven for thinking that, having reached such a momentous age as 40, I promptly disappeared in a puff of smoke. Happily, no such exotic fate was mine. I've just been caught up in Life. You know how it is - I know you do.

However, eventually this little space calls me back and the cries of the toddler, the new business, the laundry, the dinner, the dishes, the too-ripe tomatoes and the endless other Things To Do all get turned down and I take a little space to sit and write again.

There is much to say but, seeing it is Friday, I thought you might prefer some pretty pictures. My mother tells me that she has been tuning in to furrybees frequently over the last month, only to find that I am forever just about to turn 40 (and excited about it). So that we can all move on, here is some evidence that appropriate 40th birthday celebrations were had (and that I am now 40 years, 1 month and 11 days old. Precisely.). That weekend was very special and, while my camera's battery only lasted for the first 24 hours of it, I think I managed to capture the essence of a weekend filled very much with love.

There was a special (gluten and dairy-free) eggs-benedict-extravaganza breakfast (avec berries).

A surprise (tearful, joyous, beautiful) recital.

Love, from afar.

Including a new birthday tradition: an Incy Wincy Spider singalong (with the grandies via Skype)

A ride in the car (which wasn't too far).

A strange door cat that needed close investigation.

Some toe dipping.

A delicious dinner (which, as you can tell, I ate more than I photographed).

In good company.

And a turkey vulture.

Really, what more could a woman ask for?

* A moment not caught on camera, but forever in my heart, was Tiny turning to me and saying, "Happle Birthday!" We have since sung "Happle Birthday to you" many millions of times.